Effect of porosity on thermal and electrical properties of polycrystalline bulk ZrN prepared by spark plasma sintering

Two kinds of polycrystalline zirconium nitride (ZrN) pellets were prepared by a spark plasma sintering (SPS). Thermal and electrical properties were measured from room temperature to 1473 and 1000 K, respectively. Thermal expansion is almost independent of porosity. On the other hand, electrical and thermal conductivities systematically decreased with increasing porosity. Porosity dependences of electrical and thermal conductivities are studied through the Maxwell–Eucken's equation.